# Capturing DV from tape onto PC **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 29, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485 "2011-11-29T19:48:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485/1 "2011-11-29T19:48:37Z")
I’ve found forums that specialize in this type of thing, but I’ve found recommendations for WinDV, which apparently wants to use FireWire. I have a PC without that, and I’m wondering if someone has a recommendation on getting this video onto the PC, and converting it into easily playable PC files. [ol]Buy which camera? I need a USB connection, it seems. [li]Use which capture software? I do have this list of suggestions: [http://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/dv[/li][li]Convert](http://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/dv%5B/li%5D%5Bli%5DConvert) to which file format?[/li][li]Use which converter?[/ol][/li]Thanks in advance for any help I can get. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485/2 "2011-11-29T20:16:32Z")
I use the free vid capture that comes with Nero. Works great. I filmed a performance of a play for my University’s theater dept. Transferred it to the pc and we made dvd’s for the crew and cast. DV captures uncompressed. A pretty large file. But then you can make a xvid, mpeg or dvd. Whatever you want. You should add a firewire card to your pc. heck it’s only $16 > **[Amazon.com: TRENDnet 3-port FireWire Host PCI Adapt : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-3-Port-FireWire-Adapter-TFW-H3PI/dp/B0006PRMJG)** > > Buy TRENDnet 3-port FireWire Host PCI Adapt: FireWire Port Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases a usb to firewire adapter cable. I’d have concerns whether USB would drop frames during capture. \ I just don’t know. I guess you could try it and see. > **[Amazon.com: IEEE 1394 Firewire 4-pin to USB Data Cable for Panasonic camcorder :...](https://www.amazon.com/Firewire-4-pin-USB-Panasonic-camcorder/dp/B004FP8CPQ)** > > Buy IEEE 1394 Firewire 4-pin to USB Data Cable for Panasonic camcorder: Cables & Interconnects - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485/3 "2011-11-29T20:24:16Z")
Here’s a tutorial for capturing dv with Nero Vision. Nice proggie and its free. ftp://ftp6.nero.com/wmt/tutorial/upload/60/files/ENU-2137-Capture\_video\_to\_hard\_drive.pdf a video > **[Our Pastimes](https://ourpastimes.com/)** > > A destination for the avid collector and weekend hobbyist alike, Our Pastimes features articles and tips about your favorite cards & games, hobbies and more. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485/4 "2011-11-29T23:00:52Z")
Is there any solution that works via USB? I’d rather not buy FireWire just for this. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485/5 "2011-11-29T23:22:38Z")
The usb / firewire cable is supposed to work. I linked one above for 4 bucks. Walmart or Best Buy might stock them. I’m lazy and just click on Amazon myself. It will take your camera’s firewire data and send it into usb of your computer. Never used a cable like this, but I know they’ve been around several years. I’d guess they work ok. I was surprised some kind of hardware wasn’t needed to convert usb and firewire. I thought they had different communication protocols. But it seems like that cable simply crosses the right wires and sends the digital data through. Simple enough. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485/6 "2011-11-29T23:42:07Z")
Thanks. I had forgotten about the converter you mentioned. Is our best bet just to buy the cheapest DV tape camera we can find on Craigslist, and then sell it on again? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capturing-dv-from-tape-onto-pc/604485/7 "2011-11-29T23:48:28Z")
Some bigger cities have places that rent dv cameras. I’m not sure if they’ll only do a day or two or not. I knew some students in an AV class that rented cameras for the entire semester. The teacher had us doing a different video project almost every week.